Benitez: Mission accomplished

Saturday 18 May 2013 13:00 BST

Rafael Benitez is pleased with the job he has done at Chelsea

Rafael Benitez declared "job done" as he prepared for his final match as Chelsea manager.

In seven months in charge, Benitez has led Chelsea back to the Champions League - Sunday's match with Everton will determine whether the Blues finish third or fourth in the Barclays Premier League - and this week won the Europa League.

If Jose Mourinho is appointed his permanent successor, the self-titled Special One will likely continue his long-standing war of words with Benitez, who followed the Portuguese as boss at Inter Milan in 2010. Asked about the prospect of his work at Stamford Bridge being criticised, Benitez said: "It doesn't matter what some people will say. I think the job is done."

Benitez does not believe his successor - the 10th permanent boss in 10 years of Roman Abramovich's ownership - will need a handover meeting, but the Spaniard maintains the new boss, whether Mourinho or not, will inherit a vastly-improved team.

"I think maybe the next manager will have some experience here, too, so I don't need to give him any advice," said Benitez, again suggesting he believes Mourinho will be in charge next term.

"It's a stronger team. The players they have been improving and they have more experience.

"The team will be much better and the new manager, I think, will have an easier task because he will have more quality, more experience and he will start in pre-season. That is also an advantage."

Benitez has had numerous critics since his November appointment after Champions League-winning boss Roberto Di Matteo's departure, not least the supporters, who hurled vitriol towards the former Liverpool manager.

He does not expect everyone to praise the job he has done, but the players expressed their appreciation following Wednesday's Europa League win over Benfica in Amsterdam.

"You cannot convince everyone," Benitez said. "I've been consistent in my message. I was trying to do my best every single day. I did it the other day and we won. I did it yesterday and I will try to do it on Sunday and after in America [for next week's post-season friendlies with Manchester City]."